. >> reporter: president obama told the u.n. this week he believes there is a way to avoid military action. >> america wants to resolve this issue through diplomacy, and we believe there is time and space to do so. >> the big question is, at what point can we no longer stop iran from getting the bomb? and that is why, with a red pen, he drew the line, he was showing the world the point at which we may no longer be able to stop iran from getting the weaponry. >> reporter: as netanyahu took the stage today, the president was miles away, at a campaign rally in virginia beach, the white house said too busy to meet with israel's prime minister. their relationship has been tense, even frosty, an issue that mitt romney has tried to exploit. >> they have thrown israel under the bus. >> i have executed on my foreign policy, one that people largely agree with. so if governor mitt romney is suggesting we should start another war, he should say so. >>> tonight, hillary clinton is meeting with netanyahu, representing the president. it is sti